Audio: 1978

All the songs listed in the Official Rarities section are cross-referenced by song title in these alphabetical pages.
A-E F-J K-O P-S T-Z

Up ] 1970 ] 1971 ] 1972 ] 1973 ] 1974 ] 1975 ] 1976 ] 1977 ] [ 1978 ] 1979 ]

This yearly page now contains only the main Rarities List! Mono 7" Singles & EPs (up to 1976) are now here, and Promotional Items (Albums and Singles) are now here. All Honourable Mentions are now here.

Because of the previous great length of this page I have created four sub-pages, which can be found here:

1978 "Changing Of The Guards" ] 1978 "The Last Waltz" ] 1978 "Masterpieces" ] 1978 "Street-Legal" ]

If you have any entries to add to the list or additions/corrections to existing entries, please let me know! Please note I cannot value your Dylan rarities - see the Mission page for reasons why. Contact the dealers on my Trading page for assistance!

Revised: 12 April, 2008


Titles in red are not available on a currently released Bob Dylan CD (for these see bobdylan.com )

Key to symbols used:
Links to other World Wide Web pages -
Links to email addresses -
Links to bobdylan.com for song lyrics -
Performances currently available on commercial CD are marked by (these are the ones that count as obscurities rather than as rarities)


Bob Dylan and The Rolling Thunder Revue - "4 Songs From "Renaldo And Clara" " - promo 12" EP, Columbia AS 422 (USA), Jan 1978:
Alan Hoaksey informs me there was also a Japanese release - catalogue number/scans?!

Renaldo And Clara (see VHS & DVD 1970s) lasted for over four hours, and was very badly received by critics. It had only a very short cinema release, even in a chopped-down two hour version. The full film was shown on TV in Europe a couple of times in the 1980s. It has never been commercially released for home viewing, which is a shame because it contains around 45 minutes of superlative concert footage. For informed discussion of this and Bob's other screen appearances, see C.P. Lee's well-received book "Like A Bullet Of Light ".

Renaldo.jpg (20145 bytes)
Columbia AS 422 (USA) - front cover is plain buff with this sticker and the "Demonstration" stamp only

R-0136 People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield) - rehearsals, Studio Instrumental Rentals, New York, October 1975, also released on the 1993 Japanese promo CD Mr. D's Collection # 3, see 1993.
This performance was also one of the 42 rarities included for download with the Aug 2006 Apple iTunes Bob Dylan Collection, see Online Performances (Other).

R-0137 It Ain't Me Babe - live, Harvard Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA, 20 Nov 1975, also released on the Japanese promo CD Mr. D's Collection # 3, 1993, and European Unplugged Dignity CD singles 1995, and now also available on the 2001 Japanese live compilation Bob Dylan Live 1961-2000: Thirty Nine Years Of Great Concert Performances, see 2001. Finally released in the USA in Nov 2002 on The Bootleg Series Vol. 5 - Bob Dylan Live 1975: The Rolling Thunder Revue, see 2002

Don Handy considers that this performance is different from the Harvard performance which is on The Bootleg Series Vol. 5 - Bob Dylan Live 1975: The Rolling Thunder Revue, and he suggest it actually comes from The Forum, Montreal, Canada, 4 Dec 1975. Both Glen Dundas and Olof Björner confirm the 20 Nov 1975 date, not 4 Dec 1975.

R-0138 Never Let Me Go (Joseph Wade Scott) - duet with Joan Baez, live with the Rolling Thunder Revue, The Forum, Montreal, Canada, 4 Dec 1975, also released on the 1993 Japanese promo CD Mr. D's Collection # 3, see 1993
This performance was also one of the 42 rarities included for download with the Aug 2006 Apple iTunes Bob Dylan Collection, see Online Performances (Other).

The fourth song on this EP was Isis, also live with the Rolling Thunder Revue, The Forum, Montreal, Canada, 4 Dec 1975. No longer a rarity, this was later released as the B-side of the 1984 Dutch Jokerman single (see 1984), and on Biograph (see 1985). The version on the bonus DVD with the Limited Edition of The Bootleg Series Vol. 5 - Bob Dylan Live 1975: The Rolling Thunder Revue is an otherwise unavailable remix of this (see 2002). Now R-0137 is released, only two tracks on this 12" EP are rarities. The omission of R-0138 from The Bootleg Series Vol. 5 (see International Album Releases (Regular) ) is inexplicable!

Thanks to Richard Yakle and Georg Thoma for pointing out the dates previously shown for R-0136 and R-0138 were transposed - a transcription error on my part!

Clinton Heylin's "Bootleg" book says that my copy of the 12" EP, like most circulating, is a counterfeit because the "DEMONSTRATION/Not For Sale" stamp is black whereas the printing on the genuine item is in gold - however this story is disputed by both Nick Ralph and Bob Paxon, who have had record industry connections.

Thanks to Nick Ralph for the following information and scan: "I was given this by CBS records in London at the time, so I know it's genuine. The promo stamp is imprinted gold (the opposite to embossed) and only on the top left of the back, not on the front, which just has the sticker on the top left. I've never seen one with a black stamp to compare it to so can't comment on the likely authenticity of copies with black stamps. They were not manufactured in the UK, but the USA, so probably were only made in the USA. You'd need to check other details to see whether the black-stamped versions are likely to be genuine or not.

The matrix numbers are stamped in with a punch, rather than inscribed and follow the curvature of the grooves in a crude fashion. Side 1 is XSM164035-1A, Side 2 is XSM164036-1B. Both have a smaller "P2 and "I" about 1cm to the left and right of the number respectively. There is also a small "v" immediately opposite to the matrix number.

The sleeve is plain white US-Style, where the outer surface is paper glued to the board rather than a surfaced board - this can be clearly seen on the back where the doesn't reach the edges except on the side of the opening. The sticker is (by now) a duller white than the sleeve and has slightly rounded corners, 12.7cm x 7.3cm (or as it was of US origin, 5" x 27/8")."

Although it has a different promo black stamp. the sleeve on my copy is exactly the same in construction, and Nick's label's are identical to mine. My record has stamped matrix numbers: Side 1 - XSM164035-1B, Side 2 - XSM164036-1B, which would imply Nick's is a first pressing and mine is a second.

RenaldoDemo.JPG (19799 bytes)
Columbia AS 422 (USA) - stamp in top right-hand corner of both front and back of sleeve
RenaldoLabel1.JPG (26339 bytes)
Columbia AS 422 (USA), Side 1 - R-0136 and R-0138
RenaldoLabel2.JPG (25332 bytes)
Columbia AS 422 (USA), Side 2 - Isis and R-0137 (Richard Yakle informs me that his copy has the Side 2 label on both sides!)
RenaldoPromoStamp.jpg (11554 bytes)
Columbia AS 422 (USA) - gold stamp in top left-hand corner of rear sleeve of Nick Ralph's copy

Philip Bajo from Vienna has a copy with the black stamp where the centre hole is too small to allow it to be played on a turntable - this isn't a problem with my copy or that anyone else has reported to me! Thanks also to Bob Paxon for additional information on the counterfeit issue.


"When I Paint My Masterpiece" - radio station promo?, Columbia (catalogue number?) (USA), 1978-79:

R-0139  When I Paint My Masterpiece - a previously unknown version is said to have been played on the radio in the US in 1978-79, this could have been the live version from the film Renaldo & Clara, but it has not been otherwise reported as a radio station promo. Can anyone confirm?


Various Artists - "El Pacha" - vinyl album, CBS 27.168 (Uruguay), 1978:


CBS 27.168 (Uruguay) - front scan by Hans Seegers

R-0628 Hurricane - exclusive short edit (2:25)

This very rare album in the "CBS Collection" series exclusive to Uruguay was manufactured and distributed in Uruguay on behalf of CBS by Sondor S.A. The fact the song is edited is not mentioned on the sleeve or the record label.

For original singles with this song split over the A- and B-sides, see 1975-76 Hurricane Singles. This edit is even shorter than Hurricane (Part I) - R-0126 (3:35)!

Information and scans from Hans Seegers.


CBS 27.168 (Uruguay) - rear scan by Hans Seegers


CBS 27.168 (Uruguay) - Side 1 scan by Hans Seegers with R-0628


CBS 27.168 (Uruguay) - Side 2 scan by Hans Seegers

"Masterpieces" - 3LP set, Columbia S3BP 220502 (Australia), CBS/Sony 57AP-875/6/7 (Japan), Mar 1978:


Columbia S3 BP 220502 (Australia)
For full details of this release which contained several tracks unavailable elsewhere on albums, see here.

The Band plus guests - "The Last Waltz" - 3LP set, Warner Bros 3 WS 3146 (USA)/Warner Bros K 66076 (UK), recorded Nov 1976, released Apr 1978:

LastWaltzSigned.jpg (28824 bytes)
CD copy of The Last Waltz signed by Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Neil Diamond - picture from "Isis" 46, Dec 1992/Jan 1993, thanks to Derek Barker

For full details of this release, which featured several exclusive live tracks with Bob, see here. For the Expanded Edition 4CD boxed set which includes Bob and the Band's performance of Hazel, the song from Planet Waves omitted from the original release, see 2002.

For details of The Last Waltz VHS and laserdisc releases, see VHS & DVD 1970s. A new expanded DVD edition was released in Apr 2002, see VHS & DVD 2000s Part 1.


"Street-Legal" - original vinyl album, Columbia JC 35453 (USA)/S CBS 86067 (UK)/Discos CBS 19.901 (Argentina)/Discos CBS 138.084 (Brazil)/CBS 86067 (Israel/Italy)/ CBS/Sony 25AP 1099 (Japan), 15 Jun 1978:


Columbia JC 35453 (USA) -
promo front cover with timing strip, photo by Ulf Gyllenspetz
For full details of this release, which is now unavailable in this precise form, see here.

For the 1997 remixed/remastered CD edition of this album, see International Album Releases (Regular).


"Baby Stop Crying" - promo 7" single, Columbia 3-10805 (USA), 31 Jul 1978:

BabyUSPromo1.jpg (24365 bytes)
Columbia 3-10805 (US promo) - first label variation, scan by Hans Seegers

R-0146 Baby Stop Crying - short version (radio edit - 4:17)

The other side of the single is the full album version (5:17).

The difference in the labels of the two variants shown is that the words "SHORT VERSION" are on the right below "Columbia" for variant 1, and on the left above "Stereo" for variant 2.

BabyUSPromo2.jpg (24874 bytes)
Columbia 3-10805 (US promo) - second label variation, scan by Hans Seegers

There was also a US commercial single with the catalogue number Columbia 3-10805 with the full version of Baby Stop Crying as the A-side, and New Pony as the B-side. The equivalent European singles were S CBS 6499 (UK) and CBS 6697 (NL and West Germany). For all of these, see US & International 7" & 12" Singles & EPs 1977-79).


"Changing Of The Guards" - 7" promo and commercial singles with 3:39 edit of A- or B-side, Columbia/CBS international releases Aug-Dec 1978:

ChangingUSEdit1.jpg (23763 bytes)
Columbia 3-10851 (US promo), scan by Hans Seegers
For full details of these releases, see here.

For 7" singles with the full-length version of Changing Of The Guards, see US & International 7" & 12" Singles & EPs 1977-79.


CBS 6559 (NL/West Germany) - front scan by Hans Seegers


Harry Belafonte - "More Songs" - compilation LP, RCA Music Club 34199 0 (West Germany), 1978:

BelafonteMoreSongsLP.jpg (19789 bytes)
RCA Music Club 34199 0 (West Germany) - scan by Hans Seegers

R-0001-3 Midnight Special (Huddie Ledbetter - "Leadbelly") - Bob plays harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte's 1962 The Midnight Special album (stereo version)

For details of the original album, see 1962


Bette Midler - "The Best of Bette" - vinyl compilation LP, Atlantic ATL 50530 (USA)/Atlantic K.50530 (UK), 1978:
This album is now superseded by a 1990s Best Of Bette Midler CD compilation that doesn't include the Dylan song.


Atlantic ATL 50530 (USA) - scan by Wim van der Mark
R-0123-3 Buckets Of Rain - recorded Oct 1975, Bob shares vocals with Bette Midler on a track from her Atlantic album Songs For The New Depression, see 1976.

For a UK single from this album, see below. The same cover drawing was used for her 1973 Atlantic debut album and a 1974 Japanese single (P-1291A) on the joint Asylum/Elektra/Atlantic/Warner Bros label. This had two songs with non Dylan involvement but the A-side (In The Mood, also on this album) was included on a 1974 four song (two 7" singles) promo with Bob and The Band performing On A Night Like This from Planet Waves (see Promotional Singles 1970-79).

Bette Midler also appears as part of the ensemble USA For Africa on the charity single We Are The World, see 1985.

Thanks to Wim van der Mark, Hans Seegers and Kenneth Robson for information and scans.

BetteJap45.jpg (21738 bytes)
Japanese single scan by Hans Seegers

Atlantic K.50530 (UK) - front scan by Kenneth Robson

Atlantic K.50530 (UK) - rear scan by Kenneth Robson

Atlantic K.50530 (UK) - poster scan by Kenneth Robson

Atlantic K.50530 (UK) - Side 1 scan by Kenneth Robson (includes R-0123)

Atlantic K.50530 (UK) - Side 2 scan by Kenneth Robson (no Dylan)

Bette Midler - "Buckets Of Rain"/"La Vie En Rose" - 7" single, Atlantic K.11260 (UK), 1978:


Atlantic K11260 (UK) - A-side scan by Dennis Yardley
R-0123-2 Buckets Of Rain - recorded Oct 1975, Bob shares vocals with Bette Midler on a track from her Atlantic album Songs For The New Depression, see above.

This single came in a standard WEA sleeve. The label has the text "Taken from the LP K.50530 'The Best Of Bette'". For that album, see above. La Vie En Rose was originally from her 1977 Atlantic album Broken Blossom.

Thanks to Dennis Yardley and Kenneth Robson for information and scans.

Buckets7UKSideA2.jpg (34934 bytes)
Atlantic K11260 (UK) - A-side in generic WEA sleeve, scan by Kenneth Robson

Promotional Items for 1978

Stereo promo items for 1978 which don't contain rare material but which are still very collectable are now here: International Promotional Releases. Promo releases of regular albums and commercially released singles are now located on the appropriate page in International Stereo Releases.

For the UK promo 7" singles of Baby, Stop Crying/New Pony and Is Your Love In Vain?/We Better Talk This Over previously listed here, see US & International 7" & 12" Singles & EPs 1977-79.

For the Italian promo 7" singles of Changing Of The Guards previously listed here, see here.


Up ] 1970 ] 1971 ] 1972 ] 1973 ] 1974 ] 1975 ] 1976 ] 1977 ] [ 1978 ] 1979 ]

1978's sub-pages:

1978 "Changing Of The Guards" ] 1978 "The Last Waltz" ] 1978 "Masterpieces" ] 1978 "Street-Legal" ]

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